Your child, friend, sibling, or someone close to you has just decided that it’s time for them to play an instrument and they’ve decided on a flute. So, here you are, looking for the best types of flutes that will suit them.

Researching is always the first step you can take to getting the best product your money can buy. That includes buying an instrument, specifically, a flute.

There are a lot of flutes out there, and similarly just as much jargon that you can’t seem to understand. Should you get the open or closed hole? Should you go for beginner, immediate, or advanced? Should you buy affordable, or go for expensive?

A lot of questions can come up when searching for the right kind of flute to suit your need. But, when it comes to playing the flute for the very first time, learning, or relearning it, it’s always best to start with a beginner, or student flute.

But even then, there are many options for you to choose from. So, how do you choose the best from the many types of flutes out there?

How To Choose The Best Types Of Flute

Buying a flute is just like buying any other thing that you’ve bought before. You always search, compare, and ask people around you for their recommendations.

The same goes with buying a flute. It’s always best to start with research. You don’t want to buy the first one you see. You might just end up regretting your purchase in the long run and no one wants that.

Research the different brands out there.

Read reviews, ask musicians for a brand they strongly recommend, or better yet, ask your tutor or instructor for the brand he or she recommends that you start with. It’s always best to ask people who are already experienced with the flute for their opinion.

They have, more likely, been playing with different kinds of flutes, as well as heard and tried different ones so they are able to give you a more informed decision.

Don’t go for the super cheap flutes.

You should always be wary when buying something that’s too cheap, especially for such a delicate instrument as the flute. More often than not, you will end up spending more because of a) repairs needed or b) replacing it with another flute.

Start with beginner or student flutes.

There’s no shame in starting with a student flute. It’s designed specifically for people who want to play for the very first time. It can withstand rough beatings from an inexperienced player, and is also designed so that it is easy to learn from. Don’t go the discouraged route simply because you could not play an intermediate or advanced flute on your first try of the instrument.

What To Look For In The Best Types Of Flute

Now, that you’ve finally decided on getting a beginner or student flute, your job is only starting. There are different kinds of beginner flutes out there. You should know what you are looking for before making a purchase.

Keep a look out for traditional designs.

Beginning players are recommended to start on closed holes, an E mechanism, as well as a C footjoint. If you find a student flute with these specifications, then you’re all set. No need to go for the fancy-schmancy flute that you’ll only be able to figure out once you step-up.

Look for the right size.

Finding a student flute in the right size can prevent a lot of problems in the future, including discouragement. There are flutes with curved headjoints that make it easy for the small learner to reach the keys. Getting a right sized flute will also prevent neck and back strain as well as poor posture.

Look for brands that offer upgrades.

Face it. You won’t be a beginner forever. Whenever you do decide to eventually step-up to an intermediate or advanced flute, you will need another flute! But should this cost you the price of another flute? Not necessarily. There are brands, like Yamaha or Pearl that are upgradable. This means you can replace the headjoint and the sound significantly improves. It’ll be music to an intermediate’s ear.

Overview

Looking for a beginner flute, but don’t know where to start? The Glory Closed Hole C Flute is a fun way to introduce your child to the flute. It comes in a variety of colors, so you can choose your child’s favorite color. It is also designed for a beginner so that playing it will be easy.

Features

High quality made

Affordable

Good quality leather pads

Great water resistance

Quality air tightness

Made from Cupronickel for high durability

Gives a wonderful tone

Closed hole design

16 keys

Advantages

Don’t let the price tag deceive you. Yes, it’s one of the “cheap” flutes in the market, but the sound and quality really is surprising. It’s especially great if you want to start with the flute, but are not yet sure whether you’ll continue playing the instrument to a professional level.

It’s also built of good quality so that it delivers a beautiful tone. You won’t be discouraged easily playing this flute because it gives a lovely sound, looks beautiful, and makes learning to play the flute very easy.

It comes in different colors you can choose from—perfect for giving as gifts. The keys are made quite well. It responds, and depresses nicely. No sticking keys that will disrupt your play and frustrate your learning process.

It also comes complete with a case and cleaning kit. All the things a beginner flutist will need to learn.

Things to be Aware Of

The colors are nice and all, but it does scratch and chip off easily. You might notice the chipping off of the color around two weeks of use.

If you are an experienced flutist, you will definitely be able to tell the difference between the Glory and the Armstrong, but for a beginner flutist, it’s more than enough.

Bottom Line

It’s a great beginner’s flute with very interesting colors. The build is good enough for a beginner to handle and the design is suited for a student flutist.

The colors may not last as long as you want them to, but with good care, you’ll be able to play this instrument for quite some time and still be satisfied with it. If you want to move up to another flute, it won’t hurt so much because you only spent a small amount for your beginner flute.

If you’re an experienced flutist, and want another flute on hand for practice, you can purchase this one and it won’t cost you so much compared to buying another Yamaha or Armstrong simply for practice.

Overview

Buying a new flute because you want to learn how to play can be overwhelming. It can also be very discouraging to see the best-of-the-best flutes out there in the market worth almost $500 to more than a $1000. Should this stop you? Of course not. The Lazarro Professional Silver Nickel Closed Hole C Flute is one great flute for beginners that is just within your budget.

Advantages

Any flute will have loose keys from time to time. But what you’ll love about the Lazarro Professional Silver Nickel Closed Hole C Flute is that it has a screwdriver included in the kit. It’s a thoughtful addition to a flute cleaning kit that will make any new user know the ropes of caring for their flutes.

The Lazarro Professional Silver Nickel Closed Hole C Flute is also made affordable. It’s under $100, so if you’re strapped for money but need to buy a flute to support you, or your child’s interest in music or band, then you can start with the Lazarro.

Starting with the Lazarro isn’t a lousy introduction to flutes. In fact, the Lazarro, for its price, is surprisingly good. The sound quality is nice, almost like a Yamaha flute would sound.

The quality is also quite strong, almost like an Armstrong. It doesn’t come exactly the same, but comes pretty close. So you can take heart that your child is starting off his flute career quite well.

Things to be Aware Of

You need to clean your flute every time after use. This will help make it last longer. The same would go even for the most expensive flutes out there. You’ll also need to maintain your flutes at least once a year.

This would mean replacing the pads, fixing corks, tightening screws (thank goodness for a free screwdriver included in the kit) or else the sound of your flute will begin to deteriorate.

The colors are dazzling and beautiful to look at, but if you don’t care for your flute, it will get scratches and the colors will start to chip off weeks after use.

Bottom Line

It’s affordable but it will never sound or feel like a Yamaha or Armstrong. But for a beginner flutist, it is definitely more than enough to start with. When you decide to step-up, at least you won’t feel too bad about buying another flute since the Lazarro was already at an affordable price.

Overview

The Mendini MFE-N+SD+PB Nickel Plated Closed Hole C Flute is one of the most affordable bargains you can find for a beginner’s flute. It has everything you need to start learning, including a free stand! The quality may not be like the highly recommended flutes out there, but if you are just starting out, it is a great piece to start practicing with.

Features

Nickel plated body

Closed hole C flute with 16 keys

Offset G and split E key

Embouchure is undercut and beveled

Durable bladder pads are high quality

Rubber key bumpers are quality-made

Includes case, grease, cleaning cloth, rod, and gloves

Bonus package includes flute stand and flute pocketbook

Come with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty against defects

Advantages

It is absolutely fun to note that for under $100, specifically around the $50 price tag, you can already get a beginner’s flute, case, cleaning kit, foldable stand, and a flute pocketbook. This will eliminate the need for you to spend more just for renting or buying a separate flute stand which does not come included with most flutes.

The Mendini MFE-N+SD+PB Nickel Plated Closed Hole C Flute is designed for a beginner to use with ease. The nickel plated body makes it durable enough for long-term use. The embouchure is cut so that it won’t be too hard to blow on, encouraging the beginner flutist to learn the instrument more.

The keys are small and easy to reach, perfect for beginners. This prevents again neck straining as well.

If your child does not proceed with the flute in the coming years, it won’t hurt that you bought such a very affordable flute in the first place.

Lastly, you can rejoice that the flute comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty for any defects.

Things to be Aware Of

Unfortunately, not many will want to repair the Mendini MFE-N+SD+PB Nickel Plated Closed Hole C Flute because the metal, or body is too soft. If you get your Mendini for the first time, it’s best you inspect it closely or have someone, like your teacher, examine it for any defects.

This way, you can return it when there are defects, otherwise you’ll have a hard time getting this flute repaired. You might even end up buying a new flute instead.

Bottom Line

It’s a good start for a beginner. It already has all you need to start learning, including a music stand. However, take note that when it does get broken, not many will accept the Mendini for repairing.

Overview

The Yamaha is one of the most sought-after flutes for beginners who want to make it big in the world of music. It offers a great sound, made of durable quality, and will last very long and still sound just as good as when you first played it. The Yamaha is not just any brand. It is highly recommended, but it also comes with a high price tag.

Features

Gives wonderful tone

Great action keys

Comes with a case and cleaning kit

Made of nickel silver for durability

Great embouchure design for beginning flutists

Closed hole design

Comes with an offset G key

Advantages

If there’s one thing that can be said about the Yamaha YFL-221 Student Flute is that it is designed and built with the student in mind. The nickel silver body makes it very durable to withstand the rough, inexperienced hands of beginners. It’s easy to make great sound with this flute thanks to the CY embouchure cut.

Advancing students will also benefit from the Yamaha YFL-221 Student Flute as they will only need to replace the headjoint, and it will significantly improve the sound by 70-90%. This means additional savings for you, since you won’t have to buy a different, or step-up, flute all together.

Many music teachers also highly recommend the Yamaha YFL-221 flute simply because it is student-friendly. The keys are responsive. There are no sticking keys. Some of the repairs that this Yamaha flute might need will only require a screwdriver, making repairs and maintenance very cheap.

It looks very beautiful, and when well-maintained, can remain beautiful even after years and years of use.

Things to be Aware Of

It comes with a high price, but with the price also comes the quality. It’s up to you whether you want to spend this much for a student flute with the chance that your child may not proceed to the more advanced level. However, if this is the case, the Yamaha has a high re-sale value, and many are looking to buy it second-hand because it’s more affordable for them.

Bottom Line

Great flute. Wonderful design. Great tone and resonates well. Easy to blow into with its unique embouchure design. You also have the option of changing the headjoint if you want to step up. This makes it a great buy, and highly recommended.

Overview

If you want nothing less than the best for your student flutist, you can give him or her one of the most highly recommended flutes out there – give them the Gemeinhardt 2SP Flute with Straight Headjoint. The design is great for beginners, as well making it very encouraging for your learner to make the most out of their flute.

Features

Comes with an offset G key

Triple coated and silver plated finish

Professionally padded

Comes with a straight headjoint

Comes with a durable case

Stunning appearance thanks to silver finish

Advantages

From first look you might just fall in love with how glorious the Gemeinhardt 2SP Flute with Straight Headjoint is. It comes with a triple coated silver plated finish making it extremely durable even for inexperienced and beginner flutists.

Everything about the flute is silver plated, not just the body, but also the keys and every other component. When cared for properly, wiped down after every uses, your Gemeinhardt 2SP Flute with Straight Headjoint will never lose its luster.

Quality of tone is very good, more than enough for a beginning flutist to start with. The keys are small and oval shaped, which makes it easy to play, and doesn’t need too much air power to create a good sound.

The Gemeinhardt 2SP with Straight Headjoint also has a high re-sale value. So even though it is expensive for a beginner flute, at least you won’t have a problem selling it again if your child doesn’t continue playing.

Things to be Aware Of

The price is not easy for some to afford. You can look into second-hand Gemeinhardts, as there are many who are selling theirs as well. However, if this is the case, it is best to look carefully at the reviews and descriptions, and make sure you get a warranty of some sort. Even a second-hand Gemeinhardt, if not properly maintained and cared for, can deteriorate in sound quality.

This model has a straight headjoint. If you have a small player, they may have a hard time reaching the keys, which promotes neck strain and poor posture. Two things you don’t want your beginner flutist to develop.

Bottom Line

Quality is great over-all on the Gemeinhardt 2SP with Straight Headjoint. It’s highly recommended and well-worth your money. Your child will have an easier time learning the instrument with a flute that’s very good to work with in the first place.

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